How many archbishops are there in the U.S.?
You might picture a lone bishop in a towering cathedral, but the reality is a web of senior prelates scattered across the country. The number isn’t huge, yet it’s enough to shape the Catholic Church’s direction here. Let’s dive into the actual count, why it matters, and what those archbishops actually do day‑to‑day.
What Is an Archbishop in the United States?
An archbishop is basically a bishop who leads an archdiocese—a larger, often historically significant diocese. S.Day to day, , an archdiocese usually covers a major metropolitan area or a region with a dense Catholic population. Which means in the U. Think of it as a “big‑brother” diocese that sometimes oversees nearby suffragan dioceses, forming an ecclesiastical province.
The Hierarchy in Plain English
- Priests run individual parishes.
- Bishops govern a diocese, which is a collection of parishes.
- Archbishops head an archdiocese and may be the metropolitan of an entire province, which includes several dioceses.
- Cardinals are often archbishops, but not always—some are just senior bishops.
So when we ask “how many archbishops are there in the U.S.?” we’re really counting the heads of those archdioceses.
Why It Matters / Why People Care
Knowing the number of archbishops isn’t just trivia. These prelates influence everything from liturgical norms to school policies and even political advocacy.
- Policy shaping – Archbishops meet regularly at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Their votes steer national statements on social issues.
- Crisis response – In the wake of scandals or natural disasters, an archbishop’s public statements often set the tone for the whole Church.
- Cultural footprint – A major archdiocese like New York or Los Angeles commands media attention that smaller dioceses rarely get.
If you’re trying to understand the Catholic Church’s voice in American public life, you need to know who’s at the helm.
How It Works: Counting the Archbishops
The easiest way to get a solid number is to look at the list of current archdioceses. As of 2024, the United States has 14 Latin‑rite archdioceses plus one Eastern Catholic archeparchy (the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia). That brings the total to 15 archbishops.
Below is a quick snapshot of each jurisdiction and its current ordinary (the official term for the bishop or archbishop in charge).
| Archdiocese / Archeparchy | State(s) Covered | Current Archbishop |
|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Boston | Massachusetts | Cardinal Seán O’Malley |
| Archdiocese of New York | New York | Cardinal Timothy Dolan |
| Archdiocese of Los Angeles | California | Archbishop José Gómez |
| Archdiocese of Chicago | Illinois | Cardinal Blase Cupich |
| Archdiocese of Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Archbishop Nelson J. Louis |
| Archdiocese of Washington | District of Columbia & Maryland | Archbishop Wilton Gregory |
| Archdiocese of Detroit | Michigan | Archbishop Allen Vigneron |
| Archdiocese of Denver | Colorado | Archbishop Samuel Aquila |
| Archdiocese of San Francisco | California | Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone |
| Archdiocese of St. Rozanski | ||
| Archdiocese of Portland (Oregon) | Oregon | Archbishop Alexander Sample |
| Archdiocese of San Antonio | Texas | Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller |
| Archdiocese of Galveston‑Houston | Texas | Archbishop Neil G. |
How the List Is Maintained
The Vatican’s Annuario Pontificio (the pontifical yearbook) publishes official appointments. That's why the USCCB updates its website whenever a new archbishop is installed or a see becomes vacant. Because the Church moves slowly, the count rarely changes—maybe one or two appointments every few years.
What About “Co‑adjutor” and “Auxiliary” Bishops?
Don’t confuse the number of archbishops with the total number of senior bishops. Some archdioceses have a co‑adjutor archbishop (a designated successor) or several auxiliary bishops who help with administration. Those roles don’t increase the archbishop count, but they do affect how the archdiocese runs day‑to‑day Turns out it matters..
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
- Counting every cardinal as an archbishop – Not every U.S. cardinal leads an archdiocese. Some are “cardinal priests” who serve in the Vatican or hold other posts.
- Including “metropolitan bishops” who aren’t archbishops – In some countries, a metropolitan can be a simple bishop. In the U.S., the term almost always means “archbishop,” but the nuance trips people up.
- Mixing Eastern Catholic leaders with Latin‑rite archbishops – The Ukrainian Catholic archeparchy is technically an “archeparchy,” not an “archdiocese,” but it still counts as an archbishop‑level see. Many glossaries forget it, leaving the total at 14 instead of 15.
- Assuming the number changes yearly – The U.S. has a stable structure. New archdioceses aren’t created often; they’re usually carved out of existing ones, and that process can take decades.
If you hear someone say “there are 20 archbishops in the U.S.,” they’re probably adding auxiliary bishops or confusing the count with the total number of bishops (which is over 200).
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
If you need to find out who the current archbishop is for a particular city, here’s a quick workflow:
- Visit the USCCB website – Their “Bishops” section lists every ordinary with a photo and contact info.
- Check the diocese’s own site – Most archdioceses have a “Our Archbishop” page that includes a short biography and recent statements.
- Use the Vatican’s daily bulletin – When a new archbishop is appointed, the Holy See releases a Rinunce e Nomine notice. It’s posted on the Vatican News portal.
- Bookmark a reliable list – Keep a saved copy of the table above (or a similar spreadsheet) for quick reference.
When you’re writing an article, preparing a speech, or just trying to understand a news story, confirming the current ordinary saves you from embarrassing misquotes.
FAQ
Q: Are there any archbishops in the U.S. who are not Catholic?
A: No. The title “archbishop” is reserved for the Catholic hierarchy (both Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches). Other Christian traditions use different titles No workaround needed..
Q: Do any U.S. archbishops also serve as cardinals?
A: Yes. As of 2024, five U.S. archbishops are cardinals: Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington, and Los Angeles. Their cardinalate adds a global advisory role but doesn’t change the archbishop count.
Q: How often does the number of archbishops change?
A: Very rarely. Most changes are due to retirements (usually at age 75) and subsequent appointments. The total has hovered around 15 for the past decade And that's really what it comes down to..
Q: Can an archdiocese become a regular diocese?
A: It’s possible but uncommon. If an archdiocese were to lose its metropolitan status, it would be re‑designated as a diocese, reducing the archbishop count by one.
Q: What’s the difference between an archbishop and an archeparch?
A: “Archeparch” is the Eastern Catholic equivalent of “archbishop.” The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia is the only U.S. archeparchy, so its leader is counted among the archbishops for practical purposes.
Wrapping It Up
The short answer: 15 archbishops lead the Catholic Church’s top jurisdictions in the United States—14 Latin‑rite archdioceses plus one Eastern‑rite archeparchy. That number may look small, but each archbishop wields considerable influence over millions of faithful, school systems, charities, and even national policy debates That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Next time you see a headline about an “archbishop’s statement on immigration” or a “new archbishop appointed in Texas,” you’ll know exactly where that figure fits into the broader picture. And if you need to double‑check who’s in charge of a particular region, the USCCB site and the individual archdiocesan pages are your quickest shortcuts But it adds up..
This changes depending on context. Keep that in mind.
Understanding the hierarchy isn’t just for scholars; it’s a practical tool for anyone trying to handle the Church’s role in American life. And now you’ve got the numbers to back it up.
